19/09/2024
A nice review of Sura Laynes self titled debut album.
It was a great experience for all. Not only that but recorded and mastered on glorious analog tape. The one on the cover no less. Watch out for some more exciting projects here on the farm. ☀️
SURA LAYNES – Sura Laynes LP(SL 2024)
Formed in 2022 in Derbyshire, SURA LAYNES have come a long way in such a short space of time. A quartet who place great value on well crafted, original tunes, Sura Laynes draw influences from greats such as The La’s and The Libertines and also acts such as The Beatles. Yet, this band aren’t content to follow in anybody’s footsteps and have forged their own sound that’s characterised by close vocal harmonies and crisp guitars. It’s an honest, heartfelt sound and that comes shining through on every one of these dozen tracks.
Opening with an acapella, ‘Comrades In Arms’ makes for a rather sombre opening and doesn’t give a hint of the coming storm, yet it makes the perfect foil for opener proper ‘Let The Good Times Roll’. What the world needs now more than anything is a great guitar band and it seems that Sura Laynes have come to fill the void. If it’s true that bands are a product of their environment, then Sura Laynes are the living embodiment of Derbyshire’s rolling hills. From the tremulous vocals to the ululating flow found on ‘Blade In My Back’ (the album’s lead single), Sura Laynes have a quintessentially English sound, so it is no surprise that they originate in the centre of the country. There’s an autumnal feel to songs such as ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ that find them arriving wrapped in conker browns, burnt yellows and rustic reds.
Perhaps the greatest thing about this band is that they don’t over compliment things or muddy the water. They don’t use two notes when one will suffice and subsequently tracks like ‘Feel Alright’ take the most direct line to what it is all about; there’s very little waffle on this record and the result leaves you hungry for more (as all good music should). Yet, there’s still plenty of neat ideas on offer, such as the backward masking on ‘Alessia And The Sea’ (shades of the Stone Roses?) but mostly these tracks make a beeline for your cranium, but be warned; once they’re inside they won’t be leaving anytime soon.
Nowadays lyricism is an overlooked aspect to rock music, it’s almost a forgotten art, but it is something Sura Laynes are bringing back. Tracks such ‘The Captain Ain’t Qualified’ are the musical equivalent to novellas; there’s a storytelling to the band’s lyrics, and it is something of which I very much approve. In fact, there’s an overarching theme to this album, a loose concept that stitches the whole album together. While it is perfectly feasible to dip in and out, it’s best to set aside forty minutes and enjoy this record like an old school album, you’ll be glad you did.
